# Where has all the spelling gone? Long time passing.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 19, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614 "2005-05-19T18:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/101 "2005-05-20T20:56:21Z")
> [@Faruiza](#): > > Nooooo. Unless I’ve been mistaken all these years, which is always totally possible, the thing that keeps me from saying, “badly” is the opposites rule. You would never say, “goodly”. Actually, if you did, I would point and laugh and call you a geek for using renspeak. 😉 > > Little help here? Please? The opposite of \*badly \* is not _goodly_, which is not a word at all. It is _well_. That is to say, \*well \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _good_, just as \*badly \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _bad_. Why is the “d” not supposed to be capitalized, **askeptic**? ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/102 "2005-05-20T20:59:19Z")
Er. \*Goodly \* is a word, but not in that context. Sorry, brain fart. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/103 "2005-05-20T21:06:14Z")
> [@Oy!](#): > > Why is the “d” not supposed to be capitalized, **askeptic**? To determine the declension, start by looking at the principal parts. Nominative singular masculine, Nominative singular feminine, Nominative singular neuter 1st & 2nd declension adjectives have these endings: -us, -a, -um or -er, -a, -um; 3rd declension adjectives have these endings: -is, -is, -e 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/104 "2005-05-20T21:16:07Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] The opposite of \*badly \* is not _goodly_, which is not a word at all. It is _well_. That is to say, \*well \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _good_, just as \*badly \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _bad_. QUOTE] So I can quit avoiding that word, then? Thanks, **Oy!** Now I’ll start in on my Mom about it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/105 "2005-05-20T21:17:21Z")
And then, perhaps, I’ll learn how to code. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/106 "2005-05-20T21:19:03Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > To determine the declension, start by looking at the principal parts. > > Nominative singular masculine, Nominative singular feminine, Nominative singular neuter > 1st & 2nd declension adjectives have these endings: > > -us, -a, -um or -er, -a, -um; > 3rd declension adjectives have these endings: > -is, -is, -e 🆒 Yes, you are way cool. Now help me with this. While we live, let us _live_. -_imus_, -_amus_, both first person plural endings stuck on to the root _vivere_. First is present, second is present subjunctive. What does this have to do with the capitalization of _dum_, adverb (I think) meaning “while.” Except now I’ve looked it up on the web, and it shows -dum as being a suffix only, meaning (in essence) “for the nonce”. Damn. Is that what you were driving at? That’s what I get for cribbing from Heinlein. sigh. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/107 "2005-05-20T21:23:44Z")
> [@Oy!](#): > > Yes, you are way cool. Now help me with this. > > While we live, let us _live_. > > -_imus_, -_amus_, both first person plural endings stuck on to the root _vivere_. First is present, second is present subjunctive. > What does this have to do with the capitalization of _dum_, adverb (I think) meaning “while.” Except now I’ve looked it up on the web, and it shows -dum as being a suffix only, meaning (in essence) “for the nonce”. Damn. Is that what you were driving at? > > That’s what I get for cribbing from Heinlein. sigh. Ummm…yes? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/108 "2005-05-20T21:25:19Z")
[QUOTE=Faruiza] > [@Oy!](#): > > The opposite of \*badly \* is not _goodly_, which is not a word at all. It is _well_. That is to say, \*well \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _good_, just as \*badly \* is the adverbial form of the adjective _bad_. > > QUOTE] > > So I can quit avoiding that word, then? Thanks, **Oy!** > > Now I’ll start in on my Mom about it 😃 You’re very welcome! Yes, yours was an example of an excellent rule applied with a faulty premise. Under your application, when could you ever use badly? “'S truth, thou bringst a badly measure of corn to market, Mistress Smythe!” Doesn’t work! But the opposites rule is a terrific one in general. The other rule I always use is to determine when to use nominative vs. accusative (me vs. I). I mentally substitute he/him or she/her in the sentence for I/me. Whichever works - s/he or her/him - is correct for I/me. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/109 "2005-05-20T21:26:37Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Ummm…yes? 🙂 pooh. Thanks for the correction! You \*are \* way cool! ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/110 "2005-05-20T21:29:01Z")
**askeptic** , while I’ve got you here and we’re totally hijacking anyway, what are the rules for the hortative, and shouldn’t that Heinlein quote being using it rather than the subjunctive, or perhaps subjunctive and hortative, rather than present and subjunctive? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/111 "2005-05-20T21:37:44Z")
> [@Oy!](#): > > **askeptic** , while I’ve got you here and we’re totally hijacking anyway, what are the rules for the hortative, and shouldn’t that Heinlein quote being using it rather than the subjunctive, or perhaps subjunctive and hortative, rather than present and subjunctive? Umm…yes? ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/112 "2005-05-20T21:44:02Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Umm…yes? Okay, we’ve got several choices here. 1. You’re bored out of your gourd and deciding to confuse the shit out of me. 2. I’m confusing you by grossly misusing terms I’m vaguely remembering from 30+ years ago. 3. Hi, Opal? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/113 "2005-05-20T21:48:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Er. Goodly is a word, but not in that context. Sorry, \* brain fart.\* The correct terminology for this condition is **Cranial Flatulence**. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/114 "2005-05-20T21:49:27Z")
> [@Oy!](#): > > 1. Hi, Opal? That should be “Hi, Opal!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/115 "2005-05-20T21:54:43Z")
> [@Oy!](#): > > Okay, we’ve got several choices here. > > 1. You’re bored out of your gourd and deciding to confuse the shit out of me. > > 2. I’m confusing you by grossly misusing terms I’m vaguely remembering from 30+ years ago. > > 3. Hi, Opal? Well if forced to make a choice I guess I would have to pick 3. I think the heinlien phrase would be more accurately rendered in the subjunctive and hortative. I confess to being in over my head though, hence the “?” preceeded by the “Umm”. I am no latin scholar. Sorry if I gave the impression. ☹😉 ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/116 "2005-05-20T22:02:19Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I initially thought that this was a thinly veiled attack on \*\*\*\*\*, but when I saw the reference to “great reply” I realized that it was more of a generic complaint. ::snort:: ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/117 "2005-05-20T22:12:12Z")
As for the OP: I’m one of the worst offenders and, well, I’m really not that sorry, so I guess I’ll have to invite you to kiss my ass now. I post hurredly between steps in experiments or whatever, often don’t have time to proofread, and am not in the habit of previewing. Never was, probably never will be, despite the embarassment it causes me on occasion. Just can’t get worked up about it. Don’t really care if you think I’m a moron or not. If you don’t like bad spelling, don’t read the posts of bad spellers, simple as that. If you haven’t noticed me up to now, I’ll give you a big fucking red flag: I cannot spell. I omit entire words while typing. I repeat words or phrases because I’ll get interrupted mid-post, and can’t be bothered to re-read what I wrote. I’m a total hack, and half the posts I make here are likely the result of some sort of twitchy scatterbrained addiction to data, more than anything resembling careful thought. I fully admit it. Please, please, please: You and all with your objections, put me on ignore. You’re doing yourself a big favor. Bye! ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/118 "2005-05-20T22:19:23Z")
**Loopydude** , I have the same problem, but generally, when I post, and people point out spelling errors to me, I get pissy because they have nothing to argue against in my post, and yet they are claiming I am wrong, not because they are pointing out important errors. However, generally, I try and not get so upset over it, since generally, it show they don’t have a valid point, unlike when the poster is a member of the grammar brute squad 😉 like in this case. Personally, I would advise you not to get so angry about it, least you call someone something regrettable. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/119 "2005-05-20T22:28:31Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > **Loopydude** , I have the same problem, but generally, when I post, and people point out spelling errors to me, I get pissy because they have nothing to argue against in my post, and yet they are claiming I am wrong, not because they are pointing out important errors. However, generally, I try and not get so upset over it, since generally, it show they don’t have a valid point, unlike when the poster is a member of the grammar brute squad 😉 like in this case. Personally, I would advise you not to get so angry about it, **least** you call someone something regrettable. Bolding mine That should be “lest”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-has-all-the-spelling-gone-long-time-passing/304614/120 "2005-05-20T22:33:06Z")
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